I am pleased to send you my Session Wrap Up e-newsletter. This
e-newsletter features events and legislative activities from the session week of
July 13, 2015.

If you find this e-newsletter useful, I invite you to visit my website
www.senatorscotthutchinson.com for more information about your state
government. If you do not wish to receive these e-newsletters, please click the
"unsubscribe" button at the bottom of the page. If you would like to contact my
office, please go to my web page and click the "contact" button. Please do not
"reply" directly to this e-mail.

Sincerely,

Scott

Senate Passes Bill Protecting Utility Workers during Emergencies

The Senate passed legislation on Tuesday that would add electric utility
workers to the list of protected workers during disaster emergencies.
Senate Bill 765 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Currently, state law provides additional protection for first responders,
highway maintenance and construction workers and tow truck operators during
emergencies. Motorists are required to travel cautiously at reduced speeds and
carefully follow traffic markers, road flares, signs, or directions of emergency
responders.

Additionally, emergency service responders may file a written report with the
police officer upon observing a violation. Violators may be fined up to $500 per
offense and pay restitution costs if warranted.

Other bills approved by the Senate this week include:

Senate Bill 404 sets guidelines and procedures for the investigation and
interrogation of correctional officers by the Pennsylvania Department of
Corrections as a result of a complaint of alleged misconduct.

Senate Bill 430 expands access to the State Intermediate Punishment Program
to those convicted of crimes due to a gambling addiction.

DHS Will Waive Some Clearance Fees for Volunteers as of July
25

I am pleased to report that under a new policy, the state Department of Human
Services will waive some fees for mandated state background checks for
volunteers beginning July 25.

The policy calls for the waiver of the $10 fees charged for the Department of
Human Services child abuse clearance and the Pennsylvania State Police
background checks required for volunteers. The Department also announced a
reduction of those fees for all other applicants, other than volunteers, from
$10 to $8.

Fees for required Federal Bureau of Investigation federal criminal history
clearances ($27.50 through the Department of Human Services and $28.75 through
the Department of Education) are not affected by the policy change.